Fire on Ice

Part 35

Nora POV

It's been a week since we made the qualifiers for the NIDC and we're training as hard as ever. The next big event now is Nikolas's and Sebastian's Euforia ball. It's on Saturday, which is tonight, and I still don't have a dress. I'll probably end up using one of the ones I have at home, but I doubt they're "ball-themed" material. I would have asked Gigi if I could borrow something, but I can't now that she's not even going. She's still not on speaking terms with Sebastian, and her desire to move out of the city gets stronger everyday.

I'm only going to be able to see Nikolas later today at the ball since he is cooped up at Euforia with forms and business stuff. He told me to get there by 7:30 and since it's only 2pm I still have a significant amount of my shift left at the cafe. I'm cleaning the espresso machine when Georgia comes out of the back office.

"Got any plans tonight?" She asks me. She often says she lives vicariously through me since her life is 'so boring'.

"Actually yes, there's a ball at Nikolas' club tonight."

"Oooh! That sounds so fun. Oh to be young again." She sighs and I laugh.

"You should get out more, go on dates." I suggest.

"Oh sweetie, I am too old for that."

"Pfft, no such thing."

****

After the bus ride back, I'm finally home and it's almost 5pm. Sebastian is coming by to pick me up at 6:30, and I plan on questioning him about Gigi when he does. I lock the door behind me and let out a heavy sigh. Now I have to pick what to wear. I finally moved all of my stuff out of my old apartment and into Nikolas', and as I walk into our bedroom my eye is immediately caught by something on the bed. It's a huge white box with a small card that reads "Ti amo (I love you)" in Nikolas' small handwriting. My face starts heating up and I put the note down and take off the top of the box. I gasp when I see what's inside. It's the dress that I tried on when Gigi and I went shopping. I don't even know how Nikolas knows about it, but I am assuming that Gigi told him. I stare at it for a second, remembering how beautiful the dress is. After I put it back down I pull out my phone to call Nikolas.

He picks up after the second ring, "Hey baby." I can tell there's a smile on his face and he knows why I'm calling.

"Nikolas. I can't wear this." I tell him sternly.

"Why? Does it not fit?"

I roll my eyes, "You know that's not the reason. It's too much. The dress costs a fortune."

"Nora, don't worry about that. I wanted to get it, so I did. That's all there is to it."

"But-"

"No buts, you're wearing it. I have to go now, but I love you and I'll see you soon." He cuts me off.

"Okay fine. I love you too." I pretend to be still mad, and he laughs when he hangs up the phone. I look at the dress once more before texting Gigi, I know what you did.

I didn't do anything that wasn't deserved. She responds back immediately, not even trying to act innocent.

Thank you, it really means a lot. I respond back.

You're welcome sweetie, have a fun night. She adds the eggplant emoji and my face burns up with heat. I don't even bother saying anything in response. I look at the clock and see I have around an hour to get ready, so I quickly hop in the shower and start. Once I'm done, I pull out all my makeup while my hair dries. After about thirty minutes, my makeup is done, my hair is curled and my nails are painted a deep green to match my dress.